NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A crowd gathered Thursday for an emotional funeral in Manhattan 's St. Thomas Church , where hundreds paid their respects to three young girls who died in a house fire in Stamford , Connecticut , on Christmas Day .

`` My girls are in my heart , '' Madonna Badger , the girls ' mother , told a room full of mourners in a brief reading at the midtown church .

`` They are right here , '' she said , referring to her heart during the hourlong service . `` This is where they live now . ''

The family of Lily , 10 , and 7-year-old twins Grace and Sarah Badger -- who died in the fire along with their grandparents , Lomer and Pauline Johnson -- held a private service Wednesday .

`` Nothing , not even death , will separate you from the love that Lily , Sarah and Grace brought to this life , '' said William Shillady of the United Methodist City Society .

The fire , which broke out around 5 a.m. Christmas Day in a three-story Victorian home , is believed to have been caused by smoldering embers removed from a fireplace , according to Stamford Chief Fire Marshal Barry Callahan .

Authorities said that Lomer Johnson fell through the roof rafters outside a window . One of the children 's bodies was found just inside the window .

It appeared that Johnson was trying to get the child out , but died after climbing through the window , acting Fire Chief Antonio Conte said . The medical examiner 's office said Johnson suffered from smoke inhalation in addition to trauma from the fall .

The girls ' mother and a friend escaped the blaze .

CNN affiliate WFSB reported that Badger attempted to climb the renovation scaffolding outside the home in an apparent attempt to reach her family .

Authorities said it was unclear whether the home had working smoke detectors .

The city of Stamford later razed the three-story home , which was under renovation , after determining it was unsafe .

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NEW : A public funeral is held in Manhattan 's St. Thomas Church

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NEW : The service was for three young girls who died in a house fire in Stamford , Connecticut

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The fire occurred on Christmas Day

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A private service for the family was held on Wednesday